Mining machine



Aug. 20, 1940. T. F. MCCARTHY MINING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 27, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 20, 1940. T. F. McCARTHY 2,211,751

MINING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 illllra Aug. 20, 1940. T. F. MCCARTHY 2,211,751

MINING MACHINE Original Filed 001:. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 larmzar 71410175 F/u rflg MM 6 PM Patented Aug. 20, 1940 Application October 27, 1937, Serial No. 171,184 Renewed January 18, 1940 19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mining machines and more particularly relates to an improved machine for cutting, breaking down, and loading coal in mines.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a machine of the class described of a novel, compact, and efficient construction particularly adapted for use in thin seams of coal which may cut, break down, and load the coal in one continuous operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel form of cutter for a machine of the class described which is so arranged as to cut a face in the form of a segment of a sphere.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel form of cutter for a mining machine which is so arranged as to break down the coal as the cutting operation progresses.

Another object of my invention is to provide selectively operable means for breaking down the coal as the cutting operation progresses.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the class described having a rotatable frame forming a support and feeding means for a cutter for cutting a face in the form of a segment of a sphere and also forming a support for another cutter for cutting a horizontal kerf along the ground in advance of said frame and first mentioned cutter.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a mining machine of the class described so arranged that its feeding frame forms a conveying means for conveying the material, which is cut and broken down by the cutting elements, towards the rear of the machine.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the accompanying specification proceeds.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a mining machine constructed in accordance with my invention with certain parts broken away and shown in horizontal section;

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1, drawn to a slightly reduced scale, with the cutting mechanism shown in a different position than in Figure 1 and with parts of the machine shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 3 is a detail fragmentary View in side elevation of a portion of the machine, with certain parts broken away and shown in section in order to illustrate the drive and support for'the horizontal cutting element;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view showing certain details of the drive for feeding the cutting mechanism across a working place;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional View showing certain details of the support for the spherical cutter and also showing the details of the coal breaking means associated therewith;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail fragmentary rear end or inside view of the spherical cutter;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view of the spherical cutter drawn to an enlarged scale and showing certain details of the bit holding means;

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the spherical cutter drawn to substantially the same scale as Figure 7 and showing certain other detailsof the bit holding means not shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view of the horizontal cutter; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line iii-alt of Figure 9.

In the drawings the embodiment of my invention illustrated includes a base it adapted to rest on a mine bottom and be held in stationary relation with respect thereto during the cutting operation. Said base is provided with a centrally disposed upright bored boss it having a piston i2 mounted therein which is adapted to engage the mine roof and form a jack for holding said base from movement during the cutting operation. Said piston, as herein shown, is adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure in a usual manner.

Mounted on the base iii for rotational movement with respect thereto is a turning frame 13. Said frame has a bored central portion M engaging the outer periphery of the boss ii. Suitable bearing means are interposed between said frame and base to permit said frame to be pivotallyv moved with respect to said base and form a feeding means for the cutting mechanism.

A cutting element or disk, disposed in advance of said frame and generally indicated by reference character it is mounted on a hollow shaft I8 journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis. Said cutting disk is in the form of a segment of a sphere, the radius of the forward face of which is equal to the radius of the cutting arc of the machine, and has cutter bits 99, i9 projecting from the outer periphery thereof. The details of this cutting element will more fully appear as this specification proceeds.

A horizontal cutting element I! is also provided. Said cutting element is mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 20, which is journaled in said frame. Said cutting element, as herein shown, is in the form of a flat circular disk having cutter bits 2i, 2! projecting therefrom, and is adapted to out a horizontal kerf along the mine bottom in advance of said frame and in advance of the cutting element IS.

The turning frame 53 is rotatabiy moved at either a low feeding speed, or a high positioning speed, by means of a motor 22 mounted on said frame. Said motor drives a horizontal shaft 23 by means of a chain and sprocket drive indicated generally by reference character 2-6. A spur pinion 25 is secured to the rear end of said shaft which meshes with and drives a spur gear 25 on a sleeve 23 mounted on a shaft 28 disposed paralled to the shaft 23 (see Figure 4). Said sleeve, as herein shown, has a gear 29 cut integral therewith, which is best shown in Figure 4, which gear forms a driving member and sun gear for a planetary geared reduction device Said planetary is of a usual construction, so will only be described in so far as is neces a y to make my present invention readily 11nd an able, and includes a casing 3i held from rotation by means of a friction band 32. The shaft 23 driven at a frictionally controlled high speed by means of a clutch sleeve 33 having suitable clutch jaws formed thereon adap to engage clutch jaws formed integral with cage 35 in which are mounted planetary pinions 38, 38. Said shaft is driven at a friction-ally controlled low feeding speed when the clutch jaws on said sleeve engage clutch jaws 36 formed in tegral with the hub of an internal gear 3'1. A bevel gear 59 is keyed on the rear end of the shaft 28 and meshes with and drives oppositely disposed bevel gears 56, 45 freely mounted on a vertical shaft ll (see Figure 2). Said bevel gears are electively connected with said shaft for driving said shaft in opposite directions without reversal of the motor 22 by means of a suitable jaw clutch which includes a member =3 having clutch jaws on opposite ends thereof adapted to engage corresponding clutch jaws eX- tendine inwardly from each of said bevel gears. A sprocket is keyed on the lower end of said shaft which meshes with an internal rack 35 on the base for turning said frame at a lower feeding speed.

The drive from the motor 22 to the horizontal cutting element ii on the lower end of the vertical shaft 28 and to the vertical cutting element E6 on the outer end of the shaft i8 includes a bevel 53 mounted on the upper end of the shaft 2.9 which meshes with and is driven from a bevel gear 5% on the outer end of a transversely disposed shaft 55. A bevel gear 56 is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft and is driven from a bevel gear 5? freely mounted on the horizontal shaft H3 and selectively driven therefrom by means of a suitable clutch 59 herein shown as being of the friction cone type. Said horizontal shaft is driven from the shaft 25 by means of suitable spur gears indicated by reference character 61.

With reference now in particular to Figures 5, 6, and 7 and several novel details of the spherical cutting element 56, said cutting element is preferably formed from relatively thin metal and the radius of the forward face thereof is equal to the radius of the cutting arc of the machine, as has before been mentioned. The cutter bits 59, i9 are of the ordinary pick pointed type and the shank of each of said bits is wedge shaped and adapted to be mounted in a bit holding member 66. Said bits are held in said members by means of threaded members 6?, 6i threaded in said bit holding member and engaging suitable arcuate notches formed in the rear faces of said bits. The bits 2i are likewise secured to the cutter disk 5'? in a similar manner (see Figures 9 and 18), so the mounting thereof will not herein be described. The cutter bits 59 projecting from the cutting element i6 and the cutter bits projecting from the cutting element ii are so arranged that the center bit extends tangentially with respect to the outer surface of said cutting element and the other bits extend angularly from opposite sides of said center bit to permit said bits to cut clearance for said bit holding members and respective cutting elements.

The cutting element [6 is secured to an annular flange S9, projecting from the outer end of the hollow shaft l8 and herein shown as being formed integral therewith, in a suitable manner such as welding. Said flange forms a hub for said cutting element and, as herein shown, the thickness of said flange adjacent the shaft 28 is greater than the thickness of the kerf cut by the bits iii, i9 and the angle of the inner face of said flange with respect to the inner side of said disk is such that when said flange or hub engages sides of the kerf, a wedging action is exerted against the coal which serves to break it down where it is of a friable nature.

An auxiliary selectively operable coal breaking member it is provided which is arranged coaxiaily with the hollow shaft 58 and, as herein shown, is on the end of a sleeve 'H mounted on said shaft for slidable movement thereaiong. Said member projects in opposite directions from said sleeve and is adapted to be recessed in suit able slots formed in the annular flange when in an inoperative position (see Figure 5).

Tie auxiliary coal breaking member i5, herein shown, is moved away from the annular flange to break down the coal, when disposed within the kerf cut by the bits 49, E9, by means of a pair of fluid pressure operated istons it, 53. pistons are mounted in cylinders bi, i iwhich are mounted on the frame within which the shaft 28 is journaled (see i are 5). Piston rods :5, "E5 extend from said pistons, the outer ends of which piston rods are mounted in opposite ends of a yoke l5. Said yoke engages a suitable groove formed in the rear end of the sleeve '32. Thus, when fluid under pressure is appl d to said pistons in one direction, the will be moved rearwardly along the hollow shaft it which will engage the breaking member with the inside of the kerf for breaking the coal down.

A piston is mounted coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cutting elei :3. (see Figure 5) and is adapted to selectivel e'gage the coal face during the coal breaking operation to prevent distortion of the spherical cutting element or damage to the shaft E5. piston is engaged with the coal face by fluid under pressure passing through said hollow shaft.

It will be seen from the foregoing that as the cutting operation progresses, the rear face of the annular flange or hug 69 will engage the rear side of the kerf cut by the spherical cutter i which will break down the coal cut thereby. At this time the piston 85 is engaged with the coal face to provide a means against which said breaking means may react to prevent undue strains on said cutting element and the shaft 18.

It will also be seen that where the coal is not of a type which may readily be broken by said flange that the breaking member 10 may be put into operation, the piston being engaged with the coal face in the same manner as when the annular flange 69 is performing the breaking operation.

The fluid pressure system for conducting fluid under pressure to the jack if, the pistons l3, l3, and piston 85, is of a usual construction and will not herein be shown or described since it may be of any suitable construction and forms no part of my present invention. As herein shown, this fluid pressure system includes generally a fluid storage tank 88, a pump 8!, a motor 82 for driving said pump, and a manifold $3 having suitable valves mounted therein which are controlled by operating handles 8t, 84 for selectively controlling the operation of the various fluid pressure actuated parts of the machine (see Figure 1).

Referring now in particular to the means for collecting and conveying the broken down coal towards the rear of the machine, the frame I3 is provided with a depending wall portion Bl which encircles and is spaced from the periphery of the base IE! and extends downwardly towards the ground. A conveying pan 88 extends laterally from the lower end of this wall portion. Said pan extends partially around said frame and is disposed closely adjacent the ground, as may best be seen with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and serves as a means for collecting the broken down coal as the frame I3 is turning to convey said coal. towards the rear end of the machine.

Material may be removed from said conveying pan by means of a deflector 89, herein shown as being detachably secured to the ground by means of suitable holding jacks 90, 9E]. Said deflector has a portion iii extending over said plate for deflecting material therefrom upon turning movement of said frame. If desired, an elevating conveyer or any other suitable material conveying means may be provided adjacent said deflector beneath the pan 88 for collecting and conveying the material away from the machine.

The machine may be advanced to its new cutting position as each cutting and loading operation is completed, by means of a fluid pressure cylinder at having a piston rod 94' extensible therefrom, and having an enlarged end 95 adapted to engage the wall portion 31 or the frame it? (see Figure 2). Said cylinder is pivotally connected to a roof jack 96 and projects therefrom. Said roof jack is herein shown as being of the fluid pressure type adapted to be interposed between the mine roof and floor. Said cylinder is pivotally mounted to said roof jack and held in fixed relation with respect thereto dur-- ing the transporting operation by means of a plurality of pins til, 97 adapted to pass through apertures Eila, Ella in a bifurcated bracket 99 extending forwardly from said jack and in corresponding apertures in a supporting portion 98 extending rearwardly from said jack, and adapted to be mounted between the furcations of said bifurcated bracket; Fluid is conducted to said roof jack and advancing cylinder by means of suitable conductors generally indicated by reference character we, and having detachable connection with the manifold 83. At the beginning of the cutting and loading operation after the machine has been advanced to the desired extent, one of the pins 9'! may be removed to permit said cylinder to be swung out of the way of the machine.

Referring now in particular to the use and operation of the machine, it is first advanced to a position adjacent the face by means of the advancing cylinder 93. The cutting element I! may then be positioned so that its advance edge is along the ground and along one rib of the work ing place. Power may then be applied to both cutting elements and the frame l3 may be rotatably moved about its axis of pivotal connection to the base Ill, at a slow feeding speed. Thus, as the cutting elements It and I! advance across the working place, the cutting element ll will cut a horizontal kerf along the ground and the cuttingelement IE will cut a. kerf between the roof and ground in the form of a segment of a sphere, the radius of which is equal to the cutting arc of the machine. tion progresses the annular flange 69 is engaged with the inner side of the kerf and serves to break down the coal, the broken down coal falling on and being collected by the conveying pan. 88. During the breaking operation the piston 85 may be engaged with the coal face to prevent distortion of the cutting element l6 and shaft l8. In cases where the coal is of such a structure that it will not readily break, the breaking member 70 may be put into operation for positively breaking down the coal in the hereinbefore described manner. This cutting and breaking operation is continued until the entire coal face has been cut and broken down. The deflector 89 is put in position after the spherical cutting element iii has passed thereby to deflect the coal collected by the conveying pan it onto the ground or into any suitable conveying means. The cutting elements IS and I! continue in their circular path of movement around the base ill until they are again positioned along the ribof the working place. After the cutting and loading operation has been completed, the machine is advanced to the next cutting position by means of the advancing cylinder 93 in the hereinbefore described manner so that the cutters l5 and if may proceed through the next cutting and loading cycle.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, cutting means therefor including a rotatable cutting disk having a hub so formed with respect to said cutting disk as to flt into the kerf cut by said disk and engage a side of said kerf and break down the coal as said cutting disk advances across the coal face, and an extensible member arranged centrally of said disk adapted to be positively engaged with the coal face during the breaking operation.

2. In a mining machine, cutting means therefor including a rotatable cutting disk, a shaft upon which said disk is mounted, for rotatably driving said cutting disk, and a coal breaking member mounted on and extending radially from said shaft and adapted to advance with said disk into the kerf out by said disk, said coal breaking member including selectively operable power As the cutting operaoperated means for positively moving it along (It;

said shaft, away from said disk, and engaging it rith a side of the kerf cut by said disk, to break down the coal.

3. In a mining machine, cutting means therefor including a rotatable cutting disk, a shaft upon which said disk is mounted, means extending into the kerf cut by said disk for breaking down the coal including a coal breaking member mounted on and extending outwardly from said shaft, means for positively moving said coal breaking member along said shaft and away from said disk for engaging said member with a side of the kerf cut by said disk, to break down the coal, and a. member coaxial with the axis of rotation of said disk, for positively engaging the coal face upon the operation of said breaking member.

4. In a mining machine, a base, and means mounted on said base and adapted to advance across a coal face for cutting a kerf in a coal face and breaking down the material cut as said cutting means progresses across the face including a rotatable cutting disk, and coal breaking means disposed adjacent the inner periphery of said disk and extending outwardly from the axis of rotation thereof including a breaking member adapted to advance into the kerf cut by said disk as said disk advances across the coal face, and power means for selectively moving said member away from said disk for breaking down the coal.

5. In a mining machine, a base, and means mounted on said base and adapted to advance across a coal face for cutting a kerf in a coal face and breaking down the material cut as said cutting means progresses across the face including a rotatable cutting disk having cuter bits projecting therefrom and having a hub on the inner side thereof, which forms a wedge engageable with a side of the kerf, to break down the coal as said disk advances across the coal face, and an engaging member coaxial with the axis of rotation of said disk and adapted to project from said disk in a direction opposite from said hub, said engaging member being selectively operable to positively engage the coal face upon engagement of said hub with the coal.

6. In a mining machine, cutting means therefor including a rotatable cutting disk having a forward face in the form of a spherical segment with cutter bits projecting from the outer periphery thereof and having a concave inner face with a radially projecting hub adapted to form a means for breaking down the material cut as said cutting disk advances, and an extensible member arranged centrally of said disk and adapted to be engaged with the working face during the breaking operation.

7. In a mining machine, cutting means therefor including a rotatable cutting disk having a forward face in the form of a spherical segment with cutter bits DIOjGCtIzr-g from the outer periphery thereof and having a concave inner face with a radially projecting hub adapted to form a means for breaking down the material cut as said cutting disk advances, and a fluid pressure actuated plunger arranged centrally of said disk and adapted to be engaged with the working face during the breaking operation.

8. In a mining machine of the class described, a base, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto, and means on said frame for cutting a kerf in a mine face upon turning movement thereof and breaking down the material cut as said cutting means progresses in an arcuate path across the face comprising a cutting disk in the'form of a spherical segment having cutter bits projecting from the periphery thereof, a shaft upon which said disk is mounted, a coal breaking member mounted on said shaft and disposed adjacent the inner periphery of said disk and extending radially from said shaft, and means for positively moving said breaking member along said shaft away from said disk for engaging said member with the inner side of the kerf cut by said disk to break down the coal.

9. In a mining machine of the class described, a base, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto, and means on said frame for cutting a kerf in a mine face upon turning movement thereof and breaking down the material cut as said cutting means progresses in an arcuate path across the face comprising a cutting disk in the form of a spherical segment having cutter bits projecting from the periphery thereof, breaking means disposed adjacent the inner periphery of said disk and extending radially from the axis of rotation thereof including a member arranged coaxial with the axis of rotation of said disk and disposed closely adjacent the inner periphery thereof, and a fluid actuated plunger for moving said member in a direction away from said disk.

10. In a mining machine of the class described, a base, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto, and means on said frame for cutting a kerf in a mine face upon turning movement thereof and breaking down the material cut as said cutting means progresses in an arcuate path across the face comprising a cutting disk in the form of a spherical segment having cutter bits projecting from the periphery thereof, and having a hub on the inner side thereof, which with the inner side of said cutting disk forms a wedge to engage the inside of the kerf to break down the coal, and a member coaxial with the axis of rotation of said disk adapted to engage the coal face upon engagement of the breaking portion of said hub with the coal.

11. In a mining machine of the class described, a base, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto, and means on said frame for cutting a kerf in a mine face upon turning movement thereof and breaking down the material cut as said cutting means progresses in an arcuate path across the face comprising a cutting disk in the form of a spherical segment having cutter bits projecting from the periphery thereof, breaking means disposed adjacent the inner periphery of said disk and extending from the axis of rotation thereof and including a breaking member extending into the kerf cut by said bits and selectively movable in a direction away from said disk, and a member coaxial with the axis of rotation of said disk adapted to be engaged with the coal face upon operation of said breaking member.

12. In a coal cutting machine, a base, a jack arranged centrally of said base adapted to engage a mine roof to hold said base stationary during the cutting operation, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto about the axis of said jack, and cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed across a coal face by turning movement of said frame including a rotatable cutting disk spaced from said frame and mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis, said disk being in the form of a spherical segment, the radius of the arc of the face of which is equal to the cutting radius of the machine, said disk having a hub on the inner side thereof adapted to act as a 13. In a coal cutting and loading machine, a

base, a jack arranged centrally of said base adapted to engage a mine roof to hold said base stationary duringthe cutting operation, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto about the axis of said jack, and cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed across a coal face by turning movement of said frame including a rotatable cutting disk spaced from said frame and mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis, said disk being in the form of a spherical segment, the radius of the arc of the face of which is equal to the cutting radius of the machine, and said disk having a hub on the inner side thereof adapted to break down the coal as the cutting operation progresses, and conveying means for collecting the coal broken down by said breaking means and conveying it towards the rear of the machine including a pan projecting from the periphery of said turning frame and movable therewith upon turning movement of said frame and cutting means.

14. In a coal cutting and loading machine, a base, a jack arranged centrally of said base adapted to engage a mine roof to hold said base stationary during the cutting operation, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto about the axis of said jack, and cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed across a coal face by turning movement of said frame including a rotatable cutting disk spaced from said frame and mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis, said disk being in the form of a spherical segment, the radius of the arc of the face of which is equal to the cutting radius of the machine, said disk having a hub on the inner side thereof adapted to break down the coal as the cutting operation progresses, and said frame having a portion projecting beyond the boundaries of said base and movable with said frame upon turning movement of said frame and cutting means for collecting the material broken down by said breaking means and carrying it towards the rear of the machine upon pivotal movement of said frame and cutting mechanism, and deflecting means extending over said projecting portion for removing the material from said projecting portion.

15. In a coal cutting and loading machine, a base, a frame mounted on said base for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis, cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed in an arcuate path across a coal face by pivotal movement of said frame including a rotatable cutter mounted on said frame for movement about a horizontal axis, said cutter projecting from said frame and being in the form of a spherical segment, another cutting member disposed adjacent the ground for cutting a horizontal kerf along the ground in advance of said frame, means for breaking down the coal as said spherical cutter advances across the face, and the outer portion of said frame forming a pan extending around said base and adapted to collect and convey the broken down coal towards the rear of said base by turning movement of said frame.

16. In a coal cutting and loading machine,

a base, a frame mounted on said base for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis, cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed in an arcuate path across a coal face by pivotal movement of said frame including a rotatable cutter mounted on said frame for movement about a'horizontal axis, said outter projecting from said frame and being in the form of a spherical segment, another rotatable cutter mounted on said frame for movement about a vertical axis, said cutter being disposed closely adjacent the ground for cutting a horizontal kerf along the ground in advance of said frame, means on the inner side of said spherical cutter for breaking down the coal cut thereby as said outter advances, and conveying means for collecting the coal broken down by said breaking means and conveying it towards the rear of said base comprising a pan extending from the outer boundaries of said frame and adapted to convey the broken down coal resting thereonby pivotal movement of said frame and pan.

17. In a coal cutting and loading machine, a base, a frame mounted on said base for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis, cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed in an arcuate path across a coal face by pivotal movement of said frame including a rotatable cutter mounted on said frame for movement about a horizontal axis, said cutter projecting from said frame and being in the form of a spherical segment, another rotatable cutter mounted on said frame for movement about a vertical axis, said cutter being disposed closely adjacent the ground for cutting a horizontal kerf along the ground in advance of said frame, selectively operable fluid actuated means on the inner side of said spherical cutter for breaking down the coal cut thereby including a breaking member mounted coaxially with said cutter and. adapted to engage the inner side thereof, and means for positively moving said breaking member away from said cutter, and conveying means for collecting and conveying the coal out towards the rear of said base.

18. In a coal cutting and loading machine, a base, a jack arranged centrally of said base adapted to engage a mine roof to hold said base stationary during the cutting operation, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto about the axis of said jack, and cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed across a coal face by turning movement of said frame including a rotatable cutting disk spaced from said frame and mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis, said disk being in the form of a spherical segment, the radius of the are of the face of which is equal to the cutting radius of the machine, another cutter mounted on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis, said cutter being disposed closely adjacent the ground for cutting a horizontal kerf along the ground in advance of said frame and spherical cutter, means on the inner side of said spherical cutter for breaking down the coal cut thereby as said cutter advances, and conveying means for collecting the coal broken down by said breaking means and conveying it towards the rear of-said base including a conveying pan extending beyond the boundaries of said base and movable thereabout upon turning movement of said frame.

19. In a coal cutting and loading machine, a base, a jack arranged centrally of said base adapted to engage a mine roof to hold said base stationary during the cutting operation, a frame mounted on said base for turning movement with respect thereto about the axis of said jack, and cutting means projecting from said frame and adapted to be fed across a coal face by turning movement of said frame including a rotatable cutting disk spaced from said frame and mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis, said disk being in the form of a spherical segment, the radius of the arc of the face of which is equal to the cutting radius of the machine, another cutter mounted on said frame for rotation about a ver- 

